Medicare: Cover Long-Term Care for Alzheimer's Patients

Since 1966, Medicare has provided insurance for Americans 65 and older. For many, this national insurance program is a key component of being able to afford retirement.

Medicare covers many things, like end-of-life hospice and in-home recovery services after a hospital visit, but there's a glaring and terrible gap for our elderly that must be addressed: coverage for long-term care for Alzheimer's patients.

Alzheimer's care costs are on the rise, and the prevalence of the disease only continues to increase. According to the Alzheimer's Association, "by 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer's disease may nearly triple, from 5.1 million to a projected 13.8 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent or cure the disease. "

With Congress unwilling to fund Alzheimer's research and Medicare offering no assistance for the long-term care of people with this tragic disease, their care often falls to family members and loved ones. In 2014, the Alzheimer's Associate estimated that 15.7 million family members and friends provided 17.9 billion hours of unpaid care to people with Alzheimer's and other dementias, at an economic value of over $217 billion.

That's a huge burden on the families and friends of people living with Alzheimer's.

We need to do something about it. Medicare is intended to help our elderly get the healthcare they need. Someone who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's has a real, continuous, medical need for care. Tell Medicare to step up and cover 100% of long term care for any person with Alzheimer's or other dementias whose doctor has recommended long-term care.

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As the head of Medicare, I'm writing today to implore you to take the steps necessary to ensure proper care is provided to our elders diagnosed with Alzheimer's and other dementias.

As Alzheimer's progresses, people often lose the ability to care for themselves. As such, long-term care is necessary to keep Alzheimer's patients safe and healthy. Unfortunately, because long-term care is currently not covered under Medicare, the friends and family of those impacted by this terrible disease are often called to take up the burden of care. Just last year alone, the Alzheimer's Associate estimated that 15.7 million family members and friends provided 17.9 billion hours of unpaid care to people with Alzheimer's and other dementias, at an economic value of over $217 billion. These numbers prove that there is absolutely a need for government support in caring for people diagnosed with Alzheimer's and other dementias. Families and friends of those with Alzheimer's disease are being worked beyond their limits in trying to care for them alone.

Alzheimer's is not going away any time soon. Congress has yet to commit to funding Alzheimer's research on a scale that could result in prevention or cures for the disease. The Alzheimer's Association believes that, "by 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer's disease may nearly triple, from 5.1 million to a projected 13.8 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent or cure the disease."

Medicare needs to step up to fill a huge hole in its coverage for America's seniors by covering 100% of long term care for any person with Alzheimer's or other dementias whose doctor has recommended long-term care.

Ms. Tavenner, please use your position to advocate for Americas Alzheimer's patients, their families, and loved ones. Long-term care is a necessity for anyone with Alzheimer's and other dementias. Make sure Medicare helps them get the care they need.

Sincerely,

Petition Signatures

Aug 17, 2017(Name not displayed)My Mom has Dementia hospice care at home and my Dad takes care of her 24/7 He's 76 and it's taking a huge toll on him. My brother and I help and he has hired a care giver out if his pocket twice a week.

Aug 16, 2017(Name not displayed)

Aug 15, 2017Mary Johnston

Aug 15, 2017(Name not displayed)

Aug 15, 2017(Name not displayed)

Aug 15, 2017Judith Meehan

Aug 15, 2017Jeri ZekaMedicare needs to step up and do more to assist families with the cost of LTC for Alzheimer's patients. This disease is so devastating, LTC becomes medically necessary especially during the end stages.

Aug 15, 2017Dawn Pizzo

Aug 14, 2017erin bertram

Aug 14, 2017Patricia KieranPlease help the families that provide care for our older population that live with alzheimers.

Aug 14, 2017Jennifer FennerCost is so prohibitive that caregivers are sacrificing not only the care of their loved ones, but of themselves.

Aug 14, 2017Jody Welsch

Aug 14, 2017Diane HansenI think it's critical to have Medicare pay 100% so that Alzheimer's patients can get the care they need.

Aug 14, 2017(Name not displayed)

Aug 14, 2017(Name not displayed)

Aug 14, 2017(Name not displayed)

Aug 14, 2017Christina Heath

Aug 14, 2017Elizabeth SmuthI just lost my dad to this, I lost my grandma also.

Aug 9, 2017Deanna WetzMy husband has Alsheimer. He is in a nursing home full time. It is costing us $4,863.00 per month out of pocket. Medicare ahold at least help.

Aug 9, 2017(Name not displayed)

Aug 9, 2017Roxie PrangerMy mother had alzheimer's and even with some of her inpatient expenses..Medicare didn't cover. This isn't fair for those who develop this awful disease. They should be able to afford a decent "nursing home"! Shame on you!

Aug 9, 2017Lisa Weir

Aug 9, 2017(Name not displayed)I am caring for my mother who was diagnosed 7 years ago with Frontal Lobe Dementia. She is in the last stage. This is a devastating illness and there should be more funding to assist the patient and the families.

Aug 9, 2017Leslie Nimmerrichter

Aug 9, 2017(Name not displayed)

Aug 9, 2017Gina DeLoia

Aug 9, 2017Martha JocisAfter watching my mom go through most of her savings to provide care for my dad w Alzheimers.... this cannot continue!! Thank God she has us to help her now. Many people don't have that.

Aug 9, 2017Marlene Stegmeier

Aug 8, 2017Lisa BoxerWe have been looking for a place for my mom and every place is so expensive we can't afford it. There are assisted living and memory care places oppening everywhere and they are making it possible for only wealthy seniors to stay there. It is pathetic!!

Aug 8, 2017Patricia Garcia

Aug 8, 2017John Mayes

Aug 8, 2017Gail Brady

Aug 8, 2017becky BRADDOCK

Aug 8, 2017Lnda ShoneI lost my husband to Alzheimer's 7 years ago but I continue to support the research being done to find a treatment/ cure.

Aug 8, 2017(Name not displayed)

Aug 8, 2017(Name not displayed)This needs to be done!

Aug 8, 2017Linda KrukowskiI wish my mother had been able to put my Dad in long term care instead of seeing him waste away at home at the cost of her own health.